Six Basic Things You Need Before Writing For Hubpages

Updated on September 13, 2012

Source

I have been in Hubpages for quite a year now and this is the only time that I have unveiled the jewel of their Earning Program. As of this writing, I just earn my first dollar after a week and I am overjoyed about it. Honestly, I joined HP last year in the name of backlinking our website (as required by my previous boss). But I never knew that this site is more than just that. I found a lot of great people in here who are very passionate in writing and sharing their stories to the world while earning.

I would really be selfish if I just keep the gem all for myself and I would like to spread the word to other especially to my friends. Thus, allow me to give you some tips in what are the most basic things that you need aside from your writing skills and passion to share what’s inside your heart and mind.

Desktop/Laptop

Hubpages cannot be accessed through the telephone and snail mail. Obviously, you need a desktop computer or a laptop to be able to reach the site, write and edit your article and enhance your images. If you are so broke right now, you can always resort to some internet café and rent. Your passion alone will definitely lead you to success. Trust me, I have been there and done that.

Internet Connection

Your laptop will not make money if you don’t shell out a little investment in paying for internet connection. Invest with the best provider in town or else you’ll end up cursing your poor laptop because the site is not loading as fast as you expect it.

On the other hand, not everything is free nowadays but if you insist, you can make drinking expensive coffee an everyday habit and take advantage of their free wi-fi. Most restaurants and coffee shops offer free wi-fi connection to bust their competitors. This way, you are able to savor every cent of your pricey brew.

Camera

In creating you hub, you don’t just rely on Google for everything that you need just like Siri on your iPhone (she needs time off sometimes or else she’ll say “eff you”). Sometimes your most reliable friend will be unavailable or might jeopardize you. Using images from Google is not a highly recommended move. Most of these images come with copyright and you don’t just put this up on your hub. I suggest and (I bet others would agree) that you take your own photos. If you are not a photographer, that would be fine. You don’t have to be tagged as a photographer just to take great photos. If you don’t know how to enhance photos, that would be fine. There are several tutorials that you can watch on Youtube and there are tons of magazines that offer great tips in enhancing not so stunning pictures.

If you don’t have a DSLR to back you up, you can use a digicam instead. If you don’t have a digicam, settle for a camera phone. If you don’t have everything, then let your passionate heart pave your way.

Grammar Books

Grammar is also an important aspect of writing. Bad grammar will always lead to reader’s confusion and it might pave way for a more serious implications. I am not a native English speaker and I know that somewhere along the way I have some grammar issues to be addressed. That is why I edit my works before I hit the “start a new hub” button. Or if you want, you can always ask people to edit your job. However, as what I have mentioned, not everything is free nowadays. I suggest that you read grammar books and familiarize yourself to the English language.

Writing Tips: How to Be Prolific

SEO Tools and Knowledge

When you are about to face a battle, you should always make sure that you are armed with the right weapon. Of course, you don’t get to the battlefield unarmed and not battle-ready. Thus, I recommend that you read more about SEO. Knowledge about Search Engine Optimization is also a very essential part if you want to increase traffic to your site and eventually earn big on Hubpages. Again, there are so many hubs that will teach you the basic of SEO. People here at Hubpages are wonderful people. You can always ask them what you don’t know and they will answer your queries like you are their little brother or sister.

What NOT To Do On HubPages - To Newbies and Spinners

Great Content

What will you do with your superb SEO skills if you don’t have great content? The times are changing as well as Google’s algorithm. In the game of online writing and SEO, Google is God and content is king. As much as possible, write hubs or articles with awe-inspiring and must-read content. As what Wesman Todd Shaw said, “truly great content doesn't need backlinks...at least not many”. SEO is not a job for the machines. I think it still relies on the hands of humans. Great content is moving. It pushes a user to share, reblog, repin or retweet. Such idea lessens your effort to make backlinking a chore in everyday basis.

More by this Author

Breaking up with someone you love is one of the hardest time that an individual will experience. The feeling of loneliness might linger for a longer period of time but everyone should always be brave enough to leave the...

I agree with the points you've made here. Original photos have always been highly valued, but my understanding is that HP itself is now highly encouraging original pictures with hubs.

I think this focus has a lot to do with the new social media site, Pinterest, because it requires original photos and drawings to be "pinned" or placed on the site.

Voted up and SHARED.

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Thank you for the insightful comment @L.L. Woodard. You also have a point. I agree, I think HP even encourage hubbers to share original photos due to the rise of Pinterest and other social media sites. Newbies should take note of this point as well. :)

Cloverleaf 4 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada

Hi Rob, I truly admire that you practice what you preach and write excellent informative content in your own hubs. I will be following you keenly and taking notes!

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Hey @Cloverleaf. Oh, that's so sweet of you. Thank you for the admiration. I really appreciate it. It makes me blush. :))

Thank you for the follow and dropping by my hub. More power! :)

Michele Travis 4 years ago from U.S.A. Ohio

This is a very good hub, but I don't think I will be making money. That is ok, my computer is slow, I take pictures with my phone when I can't download them, and my hubs are not that interesting. But, it is a great hub to make money anyway. Thumbs up!

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

@Michele Travis - Don't say that Michele, i know you can. I know your hubs can! JUst be patient. Just enjoy writing. Me, I have been here for so long but I never thought about making money. It is just now that I activate my adsense to give the Ad program a try. BTW, thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it. Hope to hear more from you. Go Michele! Wishing you luck :)

Rosemay50 4 years ago from Hawkes Bay - NewZealand

A well written hub. I am in the process of trying to get all my own photos on my hubs. I make a few $$$ but I didn't join to make money so that is OK.

Thank you for sharing

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

@Rosemay50 - thank you for reading rosemay. That's great and I admire you for that! Cheers :)

thesingernurse 4 years ago from Rizal, Philippines

Great Hubpages tips from a Scorpion part-time rocker. :)

Will be sharing this to my friends. :D Voted up!

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Thank you @thesingernurse! Your comment made me blush! :)

Thanks for sharing hope the singernurse serenade this part time rocker! :) Cheers!

hazelwood4 4 years ago from Owensboro, Kentucky

Thank you so much for sharing so many useful tips and tricks for succeeding here on Hubpages. Hubpages, is a wonderful site to learn from this is for sure. I do look forward to reading more of your articles.

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Thanks for reading and leaving such as sweet comment @hazelwood4! yes, HP is such a great site especially for those people with passion for writing! Hope to hear more from you @hazelwood4 :)

tillsontitan 4 years ago from New York

I've said it time and again, it never hurts to be reminded what good practices we need. You hub does just that. I would say one of the most important things is the photos...use your own or make sure they are not copyrighted. Good hub with solid advice. Voted up.

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Thank you @tillsontitan for reading and leaving such an insightful comment! Yes, being reminded every once in a while will not hurt us. I guess we have to do a little reality check whenever we feel that our feet are no longer on the ground :)

bizwin 4 years ago from England, UK

These are great tips rob. Thanks for sharing. Voted up and interesting.

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Thanks for reading @bizwin! Cheers :)

Nare Anthony 4 years ago

Very interesting. Surely voted up :)

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Thanks for voting it up @Nare Anthony! :)

Tonipet 4 years ago from The City of Generals

Thank you for all these guidelines Rob. Original photos are my next target I just started a few. Your articles are very useful glad to know you. Keep up and looking forward to reading all of them. I'm very proud you're pinoy! More power Rob and thank you. My votes!

rob_allen 4 years ago from MNL, PH Author

Hi tonipet! wow, you are pinoy as well. That's nice to know! BTW, thank you for reading this hub of mine. and thank you for your really sweet comment! :) Nice to know you as well Tonipet! Hope to read more from you as well. :)